Sakhalin Salmon Initiative CenterSakhalin Salmon Initiative

Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Executive Director

Vladimir Ovchinnikov brings over 30 years of management experience to the SSI team. He served in the Russian army from 1977-1998, retiring with the status of “Colonel.” He served as Department Head of the Civil Defense faculty of Sakhalin State University in 1994-2004, and directed the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk City Administration’s Housing Department from 2004-2006. Ovchinnikov has also pursued graduate studies in chemistry in the city of Vladivostok.

Dmitry Didenko, Vice Director

Dmitry Didenko comes to the SSI Center from the world of commercial fishing. Didenko served as vice-director of a crab fishing company in the 1990s, worked in the salmon industry, and served as vice-director of the Smirnihovsk Commercial Fisheries Association prior to joining the SSI Center staff. He is currently pursuing part-time university studies in public administration at Sakhalin State University.

Anatoly Semenchenko, Fisheries Biologist

Anatoly Semenchenko is managing the SSI Regional Monitoring Plan for the SSI Center. Prior to joining the SSI Center, Semenchenko worked for 20 years at the Pacific Ocean Fisheries and Oceanography Institute in Vladivostok. He has authored over 100 publications regarding salmonids in the Primoryie Region of the Russian Far East, has organized seven international fisheries expeditions and has experience working with GIS.

Alexei Fedosenko, Legal Assistant

Alexei Fedosenko brings English language and Russian legal knowledge to the SSI Center. He has university degrees in English language and legal assistantship. Prior to working at the SSI Center, Fedosenko worked with several Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk-based organizations from 2003-2007 as an information technology specialist, English translator, consultant and legal assistant. Fedosenko has also competed in regional and national track-and-field events as a sprinter.

Marina Kozlova, Accountant

Marina Kozlova has over two decades of accounting experience, having worked for various Sakhalin-based organizations since 1987, most recently for a Turkish construction company, "Enka Insaat ve Sanayi Anonim Sirketi."

Natalya Kizimova, Education Specialist

Natalya Kizimova is managing the SSI Education Program. She earned her degree in history and social studies education from Sakhalin State University in 2004. She has experience both in managing small grant programs and in working on education grant projects.